The Nigeria Immigration Service announced on Wednesday the deportation of a Zimbabwean bishop, Eben Nhiwatawi, for participating in the Methodist Church leadership election process while on a tourist visa in Nigeria.
But the spokesman for the Methodist Church Nigeria, Rev. Dapo Damilola, told The PUNCH that the church found the development strange, stressing that the church does not know the said Bishop Nhiwatawi.
“The story is strange. There was no Methodist Church election held in Adamawa. We didn’t have any conference or programme in Adamawa State.
“The claim that Bishop Nhiwatawi was involved in such an election is not something I’m aware of,” Daramola said in a phone interview with one of our correspondents.
He added, “The Zimbabwean Methodist bishop is not affiliated to Methodist Church Nigeria. And he didn’t come into the country on our invitation or attend any event organised by the Methodist Church Nigeria. The person came in on the platform of the United Methodist Church, and that is not our own brand.
“Methodist Church Nigeria is an offshoot of the British Methodist Church, and as we know, we are the first denomination in Nigeria. We arrived at Badagry in September 1842, so we are not United Methodist Church; we are Methodist Church Nigeria. We became autonomous in 1962, so we are the Methodist Church of Nigeria.
“He’s not one of us, he’s not in any way affiliated to us at Methodist Church Nigeria.
“Apparently, the man came at the invitation of the other group, the United Methodist Church. So, we want to appeal again that there should be clarification.”
The NIS, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Udo, on Wednesday, described the Zimbabwean’s actions as a clear violation of the terms and privileges associated with the tourist visa, as outlined in the Nigeria Visa Policy 2024.
According to the NIS, the Zimbabwean cleric was apprehended in Yola, Adamawa State, on August 24, 2024 “over violation of Immigration protocols.”
“The Bishop arrived in the country on 21st August 2024, with a Tourist Visa (F5A) meant solely for tourism purposes. However, he was discovered to be participating in the Methodist Church leadership election process which is in clear violation of the terms and privileges associated with the Tourist Visa as provided in the Nigeria Visa Policy 2024.
“In light of the above, the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, with ministerial approval, has ordered his immediate repatriation from the country.
“While the service encourages lawful inflow of Foreign Direct Investment and individuals engaging in business and social activities, as key facilitators of economic growth and development, it will not tolerate any violation of the country’s Immigration laws.
“The service remains committed to preserving the country’s National Security and will continue to monitor the activities of foreigners for such purposes,” it said.
PUNCH
